Kerry, Sharpton Open Dialogue to
Shape Dem Platform,Sharpton to Campaign for Kerry in the
fall

Washington DC— After a one-hour, face-to-face meeting with Senator
Kerry, Reverend Al Sharpton, accompanied by Ed Lewis, CEO of Essence Communications
representing a group of prominent black entrepreneurs supporting Sharpton,
and senior advisors announced today that he will campaign for Kerry in
the fall while Senator John Kerry has agreed to a series of meetings with
Sharpton to review and implement Sharpton’s Urban Agenda. Sharpton,
while ceding the nomination to Kerry, stated that he would remain an active
candidate for the purposes of gathering delegates to promote issues of
concern to minority voters at the Democratic National Convention this summer.

“Now that we have resolved who our nominee will be we can move on to
developing in detail what the Democratic Platform will be,” said Sharpton.
“I am pleased that Senator Kerry has agreed work with me in an effort to
implement a comprehensive Urban Agenda in his bid for the White House.”

Sharpton and Kerry agreed to a series of meetings to develop and promote
an agenda to rally support among minority voters in America’s urban centers
by developing a platform that embraces Affirmative Action, and cracks down
on police brutality, improves schools in minority districts, increases
minority access to health care, and bolsters programs to create jobs for
minorities.

“Senator Kerry is a good man and will make a solid nominee for President,”
added Sharpton. “I will do everything in my power to strengthen his
candidacy among my constituents so that we may unify the Party to give
us the best chance of beating Bush this fall.”

Published reports that Sharpton plans to end his candidacy for President
are not true. Rather, Sharpton, is conceding the nomination to Kerry
but plans to continue his candidacy to solicit delegates that are dedicated
to a progressive and inclusive Democratic platform to ensure that the voices
of minorities are heard as the Democratic Party charts its future course
for the 2004 election and beyond.